Clutch.



No. 664,43l. Patented Dec. 25, !900. E. PROUTY. CLUTCH.

{Application filed Mar. 27, 900.1 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 4.

No. 664,43l. Patented Dec. 25, I900. E; PROUTY.

CLUTCH.

(Application filed Mar. 27, 1900., (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shout 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE.

ENOOH PROUTY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO OLIVE S. PROUTY,

' OF SAME PLACE.

CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,431, dated December 25, 1960. Application filed March 27,1900. Serial No. 10,319. (No inodel'.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENOOH PROUTY, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a new and useful Clutch; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

either direction and may receive any desired amount of power in either direction.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of simple and efficient construction and easily manipulated, whereby power derived from a driving-shaft, even if actuated bya continuously-operating motor, may be quickly and efficiently applied to the EtXIB'OI' driven shaft of a machine of whatever character.

Another object is to provide a device of this character whereby the driven shaft may be propelled either forwardly or backwardly and the speed thereof in either direction or the amount of power transmitted thereto may be varied and controlled as desired.

Other objects will be apparent from the following disclosure.

My invention consists in certain novel devices, novelarrangements,constructions, and

combinations employed to accomplish the de-,

sired results.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1 upon the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, showing the relative arrangement and location of the parts, the peripheries of the eccentrics being broken away. Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional detail view of the eccentric-shaft and its operating-handle and bearing-boxes. Fig. 5 is a view showing the arrangement of parts when the clutch is in its inoperative position.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

In the drawings the reference-letter A represents a supporting-frame of any suitable construction, and A a suitable driving-shaft, to which power is transmitted from a suitable gas-engine or other motor mounted on the frame or not, according to the uses to which the device is designed. The drivingshaft is furnished near the inner end with a bevel wheel or pinion a, which rotates in gear with preferably a pair of bevel-gears B B, loosely mounted on the transverse shaft 6 and which are of equaldiameters and numbers of teeth and are driven in opposite directions by their common gear a. A spool or disk 0 is shrunk upon the shaft b, preferably in a shallow groove cut centrally thereof, and also is preferably keyed to the shaft by the feather or spline b, as shown in Fig. 2. This disk preferably has slightly-beveled or cone-shaped outer faces 0 c to conform to the bevel of the preferred form of wedge, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Friction-disks D D are splined to the shaft 1), preferably by means of the feather b, so as to rotate with the shaft and slide on the shaft whilerotatingtherewith. These friction-disks are intermediate of the central disk O and the bevel-gears B and B, respectively, and their inner faces (1 d, respectively, are preferably slightly beveled or cone-shaped to correspond with the opposite faces of the central disk 0, so as to form a substantially V-shaped peripheral bite between adjacent faces, while their outer faces are preferably shaped to correspond with the contiguous faces of the. bevel-gears B B, against which they are adapted to be forced, so as to frictionally clamp the bevel-wheels, as hereinafter set forth.

Friction-disks E E are provided outside the bevel-gears B and B, respectively, and preferably are pressed on the central shaft 1) and keyed thereto by the feathers e, so as to rotate therewith. The inner faces of the construction when power is applied to thedisks E E are shaped to correspond with the exterior faces of the bevel-gears B B, so as to furnish suitable friction faces or surfaces between each disk and its associated bevelge'ar. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner and is illustrated in the present exemplification by providing the contiguous faces with radial surfaces, as at b and a, respectively, for a portion of their diameters, and tangential faces, as at b 6 respectively, for the balance of their diameters, the pitch of the tangential faces of the bevel-gears preferably corresponding with the pitch of their toothed faces. The inner faces of the disks E E are preferablyundercut near their centers, as at e, and the bevel-gears are preferably provided with extended hub portions b the contiguousfaces of these parts having a working fit. These details of construction are not essential; but it is found in practice that they provide lighter constructions than otherwise and are efficient for the purpose for Which they are intended. The hubs e of the disks E E are preferably somewhat extended and may be provided with spurgears c to transmit motion to the mechanism of the wagon or other machine.

Itis apparent that with the above-described driving-shaft A from any suitable motor motion may be transmitted to the shaft 5 in either direction, according as the bevel-gear B or B is made to revolve with the shaft, the other gear then running loosely upon the shaft in the opposite direction. It is also apparent that either the bevel-geai-B or B may be made to revolve with the shaft by frictionally clamping it between its associated friction-disks D E or DE, as the case may be, and that the gears B B' and inner disks D D may be moved lengthwise of the shaft to clamp the several parts on each side together to rotate in unison. To accomplish this clamping action, it is necessary to move the friction-disk D or D slightly lengthwise of the shaft and the corresponding bevel-gear with it. This is best accomplished by means of a cam or wedge acting in the bite. To provide this, I preferably mount two wedgewheels revolubly and eccentrically upon a shaft f, parallel with and preferably slightly above the shaft 17 and arranged opposite to and with their peripheries normally within the V-shaped openings between the central disk 0 and the friction-disks D and D, respectively. The arrangement of the shafts upon the frame is clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the relative arrangement of the eccentric wedges and their associated frictional parts is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The shaftf is journaled in suitable boxes f, which are adjustably mounted upon the frame by means of suitable bolts f passing through suitable kerfs or slots f in the frame and held at any desired adjustment by nuts or other suitable means, as shown in Fig. 2. The purpose of this adjustment is to take up the wear on the wedges. The shaft is provided with ecceri tric or cam portions f f upon which the wedge-disks F F are respectively mounted,

- the arrangement being such that byapartial rotation of the shaft in one direction one of the wedges will be thrown forward sufl'iciently to take into the bite between its associated exterior friction-disk and the central or fixed disk 0, and by a similar revolution in an opposite eirection the other disk will take into its bite.

As will be apparent from Fig. 3, the eccentrics may be so positioned on the shaft that a very slight movement will be sufficient to cause either disk to engage its associated friction-surfaces. The eccentrics are nearly at right angles to each other, the shortest distance between their most advanced points being about forty-five degrees. The peripheries of the wedges may he therefore arranged so that normally they will lie within the V- shaped openings between the disks 0 D and O D, respectively, but without contacting with these disks, as in Fig. 5. By a slight turn of the shaft in one direction the disk F may be projected forward within its opening, so as to enter the bite between and become engaged in rolling contact by its associated disks 0 and D, as in Fig. 2, and by a similar reverse turn the disk F may likewise'enter its bite between its associated disks C and D, as in Fig. 1. These wedge-disks are preferably beveled near their peripheries, as at f, so as to fit the bites into which they are to be thrown. The shaft f is journaled in the boxes f and is rotated in either direction by means of a lever f The journal-box at one end is preferably provided with an extension f preferably slightly reduced in diameter, and surrounding this extension and capable of rotation thereon is a lever-box f preferably in the form of a split ring and having an inwardly-extended part f of reduced diameter to fit the shaft f. The ring f is clamped to the shaft by means of a bolt f, which draws the edges of its split portion together, so that any rotation of the ring will cause the shaft to turn with it. The lever f is journaled in the split portion of the box lever normally rests out of contact with the box f so that its box f and with it the shaft f, may be turned in either direction. When properly positioned to hold either disk in engagement with its associated parts or to hold both out of engagement, the parts are readily locked in such position 'by throwing the cam of the lever to bite upon the box f as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. When the wedges are disengaged, as in Fig. 5, the lever preferably will stand in a substantially vertical position. supposing the shaft A to revolve in the direction 'of the arrow 1',"the bevel-gears B' B IIS In this relation of the parts,

will of course be driven in opposite directions and being loose upon the shaft 1) and out of frictional contact with their respective friction-disks will not operate to turn the shaft in eitherdirection. Ifnow theleverbethrown forward, as in Fig. 1, the eccentrically-mounted wedge F will be projected into the bite between the rigid disk 0 and its associated friction-disk D. This movement causes the disk D to frictionally engage the bevel-gear B, and they are forced slightly length wise of the shaft, so as to frictionally clamp the bevelgear between its friction-disks D and E, the former being splined upon and the latter being keyed on the shaft, thereby locking the parts together and causing the motion of the bevel-gear to be transmitted to the shaft 1), and thence by the spur-gear e to any suitable machine. Also when the lever is thrown to the left the other eccentric disk F is caused to engage its associated friction-disks and clamp the other bevel-gear B between its friction-disks, whereby rotation in the opposite direction is transmitted to the shaft and spurgear, as shown in Fig. 2. The wedge-disks are revolubly mounted upon their shaft and rotate in rolling contact with their associated friction-disks. The advantages of this form of wedge are apparent and it exemplifies the preferred form, although it is of course apparent that any form of wedge or other means to cause the frictional clamping of the bevelgears between their friction-disks may be employed without in any manner departing from the scope and spirit of my invention.

Either wedge-disk may be thrown into its bite more or less, according to the speed to be attained, and as each operates to cause a gradual clamping together of its friction-disk and bevel-gear, according as they are turned more or less from normal position, the speed of the shaft may be regulated so as to transmit the power of the engine or motor to the speed-gears c at any rate of speed or with any amount of power desired.

Each disk E E is provided with oil-cups g on its outer face, adapted to feed oil through the passages g in its hub to the shaft 1) and undercut e", and thence by means of passages g in the bevel-gears to the frictionfaces of the bevel-gears and disks D D, it being apparent that the oil is thrown outwardly by centrifugal action to keep the adjacent faces of the several disks and gears well oiled, so that the parts really are revolved and operate in oil-boxes.

It is apparent that pressure is produced against the faces of the fixed disk 0, and in order to provide against its accidental displacement a shallow groove may be cutin the shaft 1) at its proper position, into which the disk may be shrunk. While this disk is shown as provided with a cone-shaped face upon each side, it is apparent that such configuration is desirable only when the clutch is adapted to be used to drive the shaft b in either direction. For example, if the deviceis to be employed to transmit motion to the driven shaft in one direction only and not to reverse the same itis apparent that onlya single wedge bevel-gear and set of friction-disks, as D and E, is required. In other words, in such instances the device need be equipped with but a single set of disks and associated parts. It is clear that the invention may be so employed and is complete and operative for such purpose, and I desire it to be understood that such structure is within the limits and scope of this invention. Also while the most advantageous results follow the employment of a cone-shaped face for the disk 0, whether the device is to be employed for continuous or reverse rotation, this is not necessary, as it may be provided with straight faces. The particular shape of the bite between the disk 0 and either of the disks D and D is immaterial, so long as, in conjunction with the means employed to thrust the latter against its bevel-gear, a wedge or cam action is provided. As stated, the face of the disk 0 may be straight and that of the friction-disk D or D may be cone-shaped or angular, or vice versa, any form being within the invention so long as it performs the desired function. The shape of the wedge-disks may be varied within the same degree and to correspond with the friction-surfaces.

Any suitable arrangement may be provided for furnishing power to the bevel -gears, though the shaft A and bevel-gear a are suitable. The teeth of the gears B and B are of sufficient depth and size to allow for the slight movement of these gears when clamped between their friction-disks.

The device may be employed in connection with any machineas, for example, a traction-motor, road-machine, hoisting-machine, or any other desirable form-it being apparent that the spur-gear (2 may transmit power to any mechanism. The device will be found to be specially adapted for use in applying and transmitting motion and power to any driven shaft from a continuously-operated driving-shaft, as it enables the operator to apply the power gradually, thus avoiding all sudden jerks and strains, to regulate the amount of power transmitted, and to control the speed of the driven shaft irrespective of the speed of the driving-shaft.

4 It is obvious the bevel-gears may be replaced by any other suit-able forms, such as pulleys, and power may be applied in any suitable manner. The shapes of the various parts, especially the different bearing-faces,

may be varied and any change made in other matters of detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Apower-transmittingdevice comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted on the shaft to turn therewith, a pulley loose upon the shaft and movable lengthwise thereof, a friction-disk mounted on each side of said pulley to rotate with the shaft, the disk intermediate thespool and pulley being adapted to slide on theshaft, the other disk being fast thereon, and means adapted to operate between the slidable disk and spool to clutch the pulley to the shaft.

A power-transmitting device comprising a'shaft, a spool rigidly mounted thereon and having a beveled face, a pulley loose on the shaft and movable lengthwise thereof, a friction-disk mounted on each side of said pulley to rotate with the shaft, the disk intermediate the pulley and spool being adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon, and means adapted to the bite of the sliding disk and spool to effect the clamping of the pulley between the disks.

3. A power-transmittin g device com prising ashaft, a spool rigidly mounted thereon and having a beveled face, a pulley loose upon the shaft and movable lengthwise thereof, a friction-disk mounted on each side of said pulley to rotate with the shaft, the disk intermediate the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite the beveled face of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon, and means adapted to take into the bite of the beveled faces to cause the disks to frictionally clamp the pulley.

4. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted thereon and having a beveled face, a pulley loose on the shaft and movable lengthwise thereof, two friction-disks, one on each side of the, pulley, the disk intermediate the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon, and a wedge adapted to the bite of the beveled faces to force the movable disk into engagement with the pulley and the pulley with the fixed disk.

5. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a pulley loosely mounted on the shaft and movable lengthwise thereof, a frictiondisk rigidly mounted on one side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, a second friction-disk mounted on the other side of said pulley to revolve with and slide upon the shaft, a spool mounted rigidly on the shaft, next to said sliding disk, one of said elements having a beveled face, and a Wedge adapted to operate between said elements to force the sliding disk and pulley into engagement with each other and with the first disk.

6. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted to turn with the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley loose on the shaft, a friction-disk mounted on each side of said pulley, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon, and a wedge-wheel adapted to the bite of the beveled faces to clamp the pulley between the disks.

7. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a pulley loosely mounted on the shaft, a friction-disk rigidly mounted on one side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, a second disk mounted on the other side of said pulley to revolve with and slide upon the-shaft, a spool rigid on the shaft next to said sliding disk, oneof said elements having a beveled face, and a wedge-wheel adapted to the bite of said elements to clutch the pulley to the shaft.

8. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted on the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley or gear loose upon the shaft, a friction-diskbneach side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon,'and an eccentrically-operated wedge Wheel adapted to the beveled faces to clamp the pulley between the disks.

9. A power-transmittingdevice'comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted on the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley or gear loose upon the shaft, a friction-disk on each side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being rigid thereon, and an eccentric-shaft carrying a wedge-wheel adapted to the bite of the beveled faces.

10. Apower-transmittingdevice comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mount-ed on the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley or gear loose upon the shaft, a friction-disk on each side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon, an eccentric-shaft carrying a wedge-wheel, and means to turn said wheel and shaft together to throw the wheel more or less into the bite of the beveled faces.

11. Apower-transmittingdevice comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted on the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley or gear loose upon the shaft, a friction-disk on each side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon,an eccentric-shaft carrying a wedge-wheel, means to turn the wheel and shaft together, and means to lock the shaft in any desired position.

12. Apower-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a spool rigidly mounted on the shaft and having a beveled face, a pulley or gear loose upon the shaft, a friction-disk on each side of said pulley to revolve with the shaft, the disk between the pulley and spool having a beveled face opposite that of the spool, and adapted to slide on the shaft, the other disk being fast thereon,an eccentric-shaft mounted in adjustable bearings and carrying a wedgewheel adapted to the bite of the beveled faces.

13. A power transmitting and reversing device comprising a shaft, a spool rigid thereon, a loose pulley or gear on the shaft on each side of said spool, a disk mounted to rotate with and slide upon said shaft intermediate the spool and each pulley, a second disk rigidly mounted on the shaft on the other side of each pulley, means to revolve said pulleys in opposite direction, and means to frictionally clamp each pulley between its associated disks.

14. A power transmitting and reversing device comprising a shaft, a spool mounted to revolve therewith and having beveled faces, a pair of loose pulleys on said shaft, one on each side of said spool, a friction-disk rigidly mounted on the shaft beyond each pulley, a friction-disk mounted on the shaft and adapted to slide thereon intermediate each pulley and the spool, and having a beveled face opposite that of said spool, and means adapted to the bites of said faces.

15. A power transmitting and reversing device comprising a shaft, a pair of oppositelydriven loose pulleys or gears on said shaft, a pair of disks for each pulley, one on each side, one disk of each pair mounted to rotate with and slide on said shaft, and its companion disk rigidly mounted on said shaft, a spool common to the sliding disks, and a pair of wedges adapted to alternately engage between the spools and movable disks to clamp the pulleys between their respective disks.

16. A power transmitting and reversing device comprising a shaft, a pair of oppositelydriven loose pulleys or gears on said shaft, a pair of disks for each pulley, one on each side, one disk of each set mounted to rotate with and slide upon said shaft, the other disk of each set being rigid on the shaft, a spool intermediate the sliding disks, beveled faces on said spool and disks, an eccentric-shaft carrying a pair of wedge-wheels, and means to turn the shaft and disks to cause the wheels to alternately engage the beveled faces.

17. A power transmitting and reversin g device comprising'a shaft, a pair of bevel-gears loose upon said shaft, a bevel-wheel adapted to rotate said gears in opposite directions, a pair of disks for each gear mounted to rotate with the shaft, one on each side of each gear, one of said disks having a beveled face and movable lengthwise of said shaft, the other being fast thereon,a rigidly-mounted spool intermediate the sliding disks and having beveled faces to form bites with the sliding disks, a second shaft, a pair of eccentrically-mounted wedge-wheels loose thereon, one for each bite, and means to turn said shaft to throw either wheel into its bite to clamp its associated bevel-gear between its pair of disks.

18. In a power transmitting and reversing device a driven shaft, a pair of oppositelydriven pulleys loose upon the shaft, means to frictionally clutch each pulley to the shaft comprising a fast member and a loose beveled member, and a pair of eccentricallymounted wedge-wheels, each adapted for engagement with the beveled member of its pulley-clutch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. ENOOH PROUTY.

Witnesses:

W. H. BABOOCK, .TosIAH MOROBERTS. 

